Doubleheader of defenses in community college football

Top defenses on display

From Surfers' Point to Rocky Peak, the top two defenses in Southern California will be on display on either end of the county today in a unique community college football doubleheader.

Ventura College (2-2), featuring the top-ranked defense in the region, will host Pasadena City (2-2) in a rare afternoon game at 1 p.m. at the VC Sportsplex.

Moorpark College (2-2), featuring the No. 2 defense in the region, will follow with a 6 p.m. kickoff against visiting Compton College (0-4) at Griffin Stadium.

The county's two programs are 1-2 in total defense in the Southern California Football Association through four weeks.

Ventura has allowed just 205.0 yards per game, while Moorpark has conceded just 237.8 yards per.

"We're trying to get the No. 1 spot going into the bye week," said Moorpark defensive coordinator Mike Stuart.

Ventura College head coach Steve Mooshagian isn't a big fan of afternoon kickoffs, but he is glad the Pirates will have next week's bye to recover from the energy-sapping heat.

"I hate them," said Mooshagian. "But (Pasadena) has to play in it, too."

Ventura will attempt to bounce back from last week's dramatic overtime loss Chaffey by solving the issues at the heart of its offensive problems.

"Penalties on first down and dropped passed on third down are the reason why we're inept on third-down conversions," said Mooshagian.

Ventura is last in the SCFA in third-down efficiency, converting just 12.7 percent.

"More importantly, we just have to make sure we win the turnover battle," said Mooshagian. "We lost by one last game and that can make the difference."

Historically, Pasadena has given Ventura fits. This is the 80th anniversary of the schools' first meeting in 1931. Mooshagian sympathizes with Pasadena's first-year head coach Fred Fimbres.

"He's running into some of the things that I ran into last year," said Mooshagian. "They have skill kids, but they don't have a ton of depth, which is what happens when you get hired late."

Moorpark is facing a winless Compton team that took a month to score its first two touchdowns of the season in last week's loss to Antelope Valley. Which has made it difficult for the coaching staff to prepare this week.

"I can't get the point across to them," said Moorpark coach Jim Bittner. "They just think this is going to be a picnic. "If we don't show up and take charge of the game, it's going to be a battle."

Moorpark may be without several pillars of its defense, including defensive tackle Eddy McGilvra, defensive end Quen Kantaris, linebacker Niall Padden and linebacker Steven Townsley, whose participation is questionable because of injury. Linebackers Daniel Brown and Johnathan Tovar may make their first starts. Fullback Sean Blum has been moved to defensive tackle.

"We have key guys who are questionable," said Stuart, "which means new guys have to step up."